Compass Bowl 2010: 10 Things To Know About Pittsburgh Panthers

After being chosen to win the Big East by a landslide, Pitt finished 2010 with a 7-5 regular season record.

Instead of receiving a bid to the Sugar Bowl, they're now scheduled to compete in the Compass Bowl. That makes Pitt fans wonder what direction the team is really headed.

Are they headed up led by future first round prospect Dion Lewis?  Could they be headed down with question marks continuing to surround the quarterback position?

The Compass Bowl will tell if Pitt is headed north or south.

Here are 10 things you need to know about Pittsburgh heading into the bowl season:

10. Pitt Travels Well

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 2: A young fan of the University of South Florida Bulls watches play against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on October 2, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh's two farthest trips of the year are west to Utah and south to Florida.

Against Utah, they lost a heartbreaker in overtime against a team that rarely ever loses in their house.  At South Florida, they defeated the Bulls 17-10.

Flying to Alabama for the Compass Bowl, the ability to travel is a good trait to have.

9. Talented One-Two Punch at Halfback

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Dion Lewis #28 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Photo by

Most have heard of Dion Lewis after he came out of nowhere and broke Pitt's freshman rushing record last season.

Ray Graham is an excellent change of pace back who rushed for over 800 yards and eight touchdowns this season at 6.4 yards a carry.

8. Human Snow Plow at Fullback

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Henry Hynoski #27 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs with the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Photo b

Leading the way for Lewis and Graham is 260 pound Henry Hynoski.

He is a tank of a blocker, but at the same time is a reliable check down target in the passing game.

Whenever he does declare, Hynoski will most likely be the top fullback in the NFL Draft.

7. Tall Receivers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Jonathan Baldwin and Mike Shanahan provide sophomore quarterback Tino Sunseri with some massive weapons on the outside.

They are both 6'5" and have great leaping ability.  Each will be used to create mismatches against Kentucky.

6. Non-Existent Return Game

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Cameron Saddler #5 of the Pittsburgh Panthers waits to field a punt during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Pho

The Panthers haven't had a return touchdown since 2006.

Whether it's Cameron Saddler or Ray Graham returning, they only average about 20 yards a kickoff return.

Their punt returning is slightly better as Saddler averages over 10 yards an opportunity, but there's still no home run threat.

5. Solid Pass Rushing Duo

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Jabaal Sheard #97 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tackles Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Big East Conference game against at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10.

Jabaal Sheard and Brandon Lindsey have combined for 19 sacks on the season.

They consistently apply pressure on opposing passers.

Sheard is a mid-round prospect for the upcoming NFL Draft.  Lindsey is a hybrid defender who was converted from outside linebacker.

4. Off Year at Linebacker

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Max Gruder #55 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tackles Ryan Houston #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Max Gruder, Greg Williams and Triston Roberts make up a mediocre Pitt Panthers linebacking core.

After having players like H.B. Blades and Scott McKillop leading their defense from the middle of the field in the past, this season's backers haven't lived up to tradition.

One reason for that, though, is because promising sophomore Dan Mason dislocated his knee early in the year.

3. Talented, But Shaky Secondary

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Dom Decicco #31 of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates after intercepting a pass during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won

A Pitt secondary led by senior safety Dom Decicco is a productive one.

The group is 17th in the nation in defending the pass.

Decicco leads the team in tackles by double digits and also as five interceptions.  Sophomore defensive back Jarred Holley has five interceptions as well.

For all the squad's highs, they've had their lows.

The defense surrendered an average of over 250 passing yards in losses to Miami, Utah and Notre Dame.

2. Recruits Are Watching Closely

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Dave Wannstedt of the Pittsburgh Panthers watches his team play against the Miami Hurricanes on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

In the 2007 Backyard Brawl between Pittsburgh and West Virginia, a Pitt victory won over a large number of recruits torn between the two schools.

This year, the Panthers lost the rivalry game by a huge margin.

They must win their bowl game to make up for the loss.

1. Finishing Strong Is a Team Goal

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Tino Sunseri #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers throws the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Photo by And

A good number of teams have lost interest by this time of the year.  If the season hasn't turned out the way they expected it, often teams will give a half speed effort in a no-name bowl game.

After being embarrassed in the Backyard Brawl, the Panthers could have quit.  Instead they kept their heads up and moved on returning the favor against Cincinnati the next week.

Pitt actually cares about winning the Compass Bowl, which is something not many teams would have an interest in.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer.  Follow him at One Yard Short.com or on Twitter